Airbus announced yesterday that they have completed the first composite lay-up for the A350 XWB aircraft in Nantes, France. The 36 m2 (387.5 ft2) panel for the center wing box is the largest composite structure manufactured to date in Nantes.
The A350 XWB aircraft is expected to be mostly made up of composites (53% composites by weight), and will be Airbus’ answer to Boeing’s 787 family of aircraft. Airbus currently holds 505 orders for the 8,300nm range aircraft, and due to its fuselage being the widest in its category, the aircraft is expected to provide exceptional comfort for passengers.
